Special Bike Rack for R57 - Anyone Bought One?

[Speedd]

This is the fella but seems his designs have not fully lifted off

Josef Cadek - Industrial Design - Prague, Czech Republic

[Caveman dave]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

It's only just been cleared for UK sales by BMW - met the safety standards, etc, should be available from dealers in about 3 weeks - so my dealer tells me - she had no idea of price as yet

Thats sounds a bit iffy to me, I bought my Dooper in April this year and the R57 in the showroom was fitted with the rack then. I believe its in the region of £300 if my memory serves me right.

[Caveman dave]

Originally Posted by Dalboyne

And of course, the R56 and R55 also accept a tow-bar..........but presumably not if you have already had it modified for the special bike rack?
.

According to my dealer its the rack system or towbar on the R56 as the rack system uses some of the same mounting points.

The reason a R57 cannot have a towbar is due to the additional body supports on the rear and something to do with the fold mechanism. A towbar could have been developed by BMW but as would have been for such a small market that the price would be very expensive due to the Tuv safety costs., therefore it is probable that the after market towbar manufacturers my take the same view.

[Dalboyne]

The reason the after-market suppliers don't do one is becuase the R57 isn't homologated for a towbar (MINI's resposne appeared to be, if we don't offer it, we are not going to encourage you to fit someone else's on the car).

Funnilly enough, the MINI guy I spoke to at the Frankfurt show suggested I contact Westfalia, and was quite surprised when I told him that the only reason Westfalia wasn't offering one was becuase of the homologation issue!

I think I'll have to go back to a late-model R52.

Anyone looking for a used R57?

[Dalboyne]

Now here's some news!

I just heard from MINIDoMore in the USA - they tell me they do a towbar for the R57......Mini Cooper Interior and Towing Accessories | MiniDoMore.com

I'm intrigued - it could be worthwhile getting one shipped over if that's the only way to do it...........

I suppose I'd have to remove the bike-rack fitting and replace it with the MINIDoMore kit instead........

[Caveman dave]

Originally Posted by Dalboyne

Now here's some news!

I just heard from MINIDoMore in the USA - they tell me they do a towbar for the R57......Mini Cooper Interior and Towing Accessories | MiniDoMore.com

I'm intrigued - it could be worthwhile getting one shipped over if that's the only way to do it...........

I suppose I'd have to remove the bike-rack fitting and replace it with the MINIDoMore kit instead........

That does look interesting, the only down side is having to remove the rear fog lamp, but it would not be difficult to mount a small fog at the side of the hitch, big bonus is no bumper cutting.

[Angib]

Originally Posted by Caveman dave

That does look interesting, the only down side is having to remove the rear fog lamp....

It being illegal to fit a towbar to a non-homologated car isn't a downside?

As I understand it, you cannot legally fit a towbar unless the car's manufacturer has approved the mounting points and loads - which BMW haven't for the R57, so no-one in Europe can legally fit a towbar.

This doesn't apply to the US, so no problems there. You could indeed get and fit a US towbar, though you'd better be very sure you won't ever have an accident.....

Andrew

[Dalboyne]

Thanks Andrew

I've investigated further, and it's a no-no as you advise. Never mind having an accident, the equivalent of the MOT inspection here would spot it and then I'd really be in trouble!

So, my options are very limited:

1. Buy the MINI rack
2. Go back to an R52
3. Bin the MINI, get a different convertible that can take a tow-bar
4. Do nothing, and live with the irritation

Am leaning towards option 3...........

[Caveman dave]

The other option is to fit a towbar but not the tow ball, bike racks are available that mount on to towbar plate, as such then its a bike carrier not a towbar.

Its not illegal to fit a non-homologated, its illegal to tow a trailor etc with one.

[lindseygeller]

Hello everyone i am completely new to this forum.
Interested in learning many new things. Hope we all will share our
knowledge and talk about different concepts in this forum.